Public Notice Posting Kit and Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A public notice posting kit, method and apparatus for posting a notice around a circumference of a support such as a post, tree and the like is provided. The kit includes a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice, and a stretchable mounting device for latitudinally attaching the envelope around the circumference of the support. The method involves inserting the public notice into a flexible waterproof transparent envelope; latitudinally stretching a mounting device around the circumference of the support; and attaching the mounting device to the envelope. The method may further include covering an opening in the envelope with a flap to protect the opening, and hence, public notice, from the external elements. The apparatus includes a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice; and a stretchable mounting device latitudinally and releasably connected to the envelope for attaching the envelope around the circumference of the support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of the Canadian patent application filed on May 6, 2010 naming the same inventor and entitled A PUBLIC NOTICE POSTING KIT, METHOD AND APPARATUS, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of displays and in particular to a kit, method and apparatus for displaying a public notice on a post, tree and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People often post notices of various public events and other information on lamp posts, trees and other surfaces without regard to whether those surfaces are suitable, are damaged or are owned by persons who do not wish to have the notices posted. Commonly, public notices are attached to lamp posts, trees and other like surfaces with heavy duty staples, tape or other obtrusive means. Once left to the elements, these notices and their means of fixture begin to degrade. In many cases the posting of notices can become so widespread that it leads to a very unattractive appearance of used and tattered notices since there is little control.

Accordingly, a need exists for a public notice posting method, apparatus and kit which is easy to use, protects the notice from the external elements, and does not leave the lamp post, tree and the like with an unattractive appearance once displayed or removed. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a public notice posting kit for posting a notice around a circumference of a support such as a post, tree and the like. The kit may include a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice. The envelope may then be attached around the circumference of the post, tree and the like with a stretchable mounting device.

As described, illustrated and claimed herein, a first object disposed around a second object includes the first object disposed around a portion of the second object, including around an arcuate portion of the circumference of the second object.

The envelope may include a top end, a bottom end, a first side edge, a second side edge and an opening to receive the public notice. It may also include a flap for covering the opening from external elements. The envelope may also be made out of plastic.

The mounting device may include a clip configured for attaching to the envelope or at least to a first edge of the envelope. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting device may include a hook configured for attaching to a hole created adjacent to at least a first edge of the envelope.

The mounting device may be made from an elastomer, elastic band, or even a rubber band for instance. The envelope may include a projection disposed near a side edge, the projection being dimensioned to retain the clip at the edge.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of posting a public notice around a circumference of a support such as a post, tree and the like. The method may include providing a flexible waterproof transparent envelope in which a public notice may be inserted. A public notice may then be inserted into the envelope. A mounting device may then be stretched around the circumference post, tree and the like and attached to the envelope. The method may further include covering an opening in the envelope with a flap to protect the opening, and hence, public notice, from the external elements. The method may involve attaching a clip of the mounting device over a projection disposed near a side edge of the envelope.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for posting a public notice around a circumference of a support such as a post, tree and the like. The apparatus may include a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice. The envelope may then be releasably connected to a stretchable mounting device to attach it around the circumference of the post, tree and the like.

The envelope may include a top end, a bottom end, a first side edge, a second side edge and an opening to receive the public notice. It may also include a flap for covering the opening from external elements. The envelope may also be made out of plastic.

The mounting device may include a clip configured for releasably connecting to the envelope or at least to a first edge of the envelope. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting device may include a hook configured for releasably connecting to a hole created adjacent to at least a first edge of the envelope.

The mounting device may be made from an elastomer, elastic band, or even a rubber band for instance. The envelope may include a projection disposed near a side edge, the projection being dimensioned to retain the clip at the edge.

Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of parts to a public notice posting kit of the present invention, showing a mounting device having a pair of hooks;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of parts to a variation of the public notice posting kit of FIG. 1, showing a mounting device having a pair of clips;

FIG. 3 is front elevational view of parts to a further variation of the public notice posting kit of FIG. 1, showing a mounting device having one hook and one clip; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a public notice assembly of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided parts to a public notice posting kit 10 according to the present invention. Kit 10 includes a flexible transparent waterproof envelope 12 with a top end 14, a bottom end 16, a first side edge 18, a second side edge 20 and an opening 22 to receive the public notice. Envelope 12 also includes a flap 24 adjacent the opening 22 for covering the opening 22 from the external elements. In a preferred embodiment, opening 22 and flap 24 are located at the top end 14 of the envelope 12. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, opening 22 and flap 24 may be placed anywhere on the envelope 12.

Preferably, envelope 12 is made out of a plastic sheet (e.g., polyvinyl chloride or PVC) and in the form of a sealed rectangular bag. The envelope 12 may be formed by conventional means, e.g., by folding a rectangular plastic sheet along the transverse center line and sealing along the other three edges by stretching or heat sealing. Flap 24 may be an integral part of envelope 12 or may be added after fabrication of envelope 12 from another material altogether.

Kit 10 also contains a suitably stretchable mounting device 26 for attaching a public notice to the circumference of a support such as a post, tree and the like. It is preferable to provide an elastomer, elastic or rubber band or other latitudinally stretchable mounting device. Elastomers, rubber and elastic bands are inexpensive, easy to use, non-hazardous and can be removed from the post, tree and the like without leaving a mark.

To attach the mounting device 26 to the envelope 12, the mounting device preferably includes a hook 28 attached at either end, which is configured to attach to holes 30 located adjacent first 18 and second edges 20 of the envelope 12. In this embodiment, holes 30 are located outside seam 32 in envelope 12 to ensure that envelope 12 remains waterproof. Alternatively, to attach the mounting device 26 to the envelope 12, the mounting device may include a Velcro™ strip (not depicted) attached at either end, which is configured to attach to a corresponding strip on first 18 and second 20 edges of the envelope. In yet another embodiment, to attach the mounting device 26 to the envelope 12, the mounting device may include a clip (not depicted in FIG. 1) attached at either end, which is configured to attach to first 18 and second edges 20 of the envelope. The clip may be an alligator, paper, or other suitable clamping device.

FIG. 2 shows a variation of the kit 10 of FIG. 1 in which the mounting device 26 does not include hooks 28 and the envelope 12 does not include holes 30. Instead, the mounting device 26 includes a pair of clips 33 configured to attach to first 18 and second edges 20 of the envelope 12. While the exemplary clips 33 shown in FIG. 2 are alligator clips, any suitable type of clip or other clamping device may be used. To advantageously minimize the possibility of the clips 33 inadvertently sliding off of the envelope 12 and away from the first and second side edges 18 and 20, while still permitting the clips 33 to be unclipped and removed from the envelope 12 as desired, projections may be formed partly or completely at, including along or adjacent to, one or both of the first and second edges 18 and 20. Such projections may project from the envelope 12 in any one or more directions, and advantageously retain clips 33 that are attached to the envelope 12. For example, FIG. 2 shows the first and second side edges 18 and 20 as raised edges illustrated as coming out of the page in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a further variation of the kit 10 of FIG. 1 in which the mounting device 26 includes only one hook 28 at one end of the mounting device 26, and the envelope 12 includes only one hole 30 located adjacent first edge 18 outside seam 32. While not shown in FIG. 4, the one hole 30 may alternatively be located adjacent second edge 20 outside seam 32. Additionally or alternatively, the envelope 12 may include more than one hole 30. As shown in FIG. 3, one clip 33 is attached to the mounting device 26 at its end opposite the one hook 28.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, any suitable attachment or connecting device may be attached or connected to either ends of the mounting device 26 to attach or connect the mounting device to the envelope 12. As those skilled in the art will further appreciate, mounting device 26 may be attached or releasably connected at both ends to both first 18 and second 20 edges of envelope 12; however, the present invention also contemplates a mounting device with only one end attachable or releasably connectable to one edge of the envelope 12, while the other end being permanently attached or connected to the other edge of the envelope. The parts of the invention are not necessarily shown to scale in the figures.

Operation

A finished posting wrapped around the circumference of a post 34 is depicted in FIG. 4. Here, a public notice 36 is inserted into envelope 12 via opening 22. Once inserted, top flap 24 may then be closed to cover opening 22 from external elements. Preferably, public notice 36 is inserted into envelope 12 prior to installation around the post 34; however, the public notice 36 can also be inserted into the envelope 12 when the envelope is attached to the post 34.

To attach the envelope 12 containing the public notice 36 to the post 34, one simply attaches the mounting device 26 at one end to one edge of the envelope 12. The envelope 12 is then held against the post 34 at a suitable display height and the mounting device 26 is stretched latitudinally around the circumference of the post 34 so that the other end of the mounting device can attach to the other edge of the envelope. As depicted, preferably, two mounting devices 26 are used to attach the envelope 12 to the post 34. Using two mounting devices distributes the mounting force more evenly across the envelope 12. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, one mounting device 26 can simply be used.

Once the envelope 12 has been attached to the post 34, one can fine tune the placement of the envelope on the post by stretching the mounting device 26 and maneuvering the envelope along the post. Once the public notice 36 is no longer in need of use, one simply disengages the mounting device 26 from the envelope 12 and removes the items from the post 34.

As one can see, the assembly of this invention is inexpensive, non-hazardous, and easily set up and taken down, even by persons having relatively little or no mechanical skill.

It will thus be seen that a new and novel public notice kit, method, and apparatus has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for posting a public notice around a circumference of a support, the apparatus comprising: a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice; and a stretchable mounting device latitudinally and releasably connected to said envelope for attaching said envelope around the circumference of the support.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said envelope comprises a top end, a bottom end, a first side edge, a second side edge and an opening to receive the public notice.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said envelope further comprises a flap for covering said opening of said envelope.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting device further comprises a clip configured for releasably connecting to said envelope.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said mounting device further comprises a clip configured for releasably connecting to at least said first edge of said envelope.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said envelope comprises at least one projection disposed at said at least said first edge, said at least one projection being dimensioned for retaining said clip when said clip is connected to said at least said first edge of said envelope.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said envelope comprises a hole adjacent to at least said first edge and adapted to receive said mounting device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mounting device further comprises a hook configured for releasably connecting to said envelope at said hole.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting device comprises of an elastomer.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting device comprises of an elastic band.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting device comprises of a rubber band.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said envelope comprises of plastic.
 13. An apparatus for posting a public notice around a circumference of a support, the apparatus comprising: a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice, said envelope comprising a top end, a bottom end, a first side edge, a second side edge, an opening to receive the public notice and a flap for covering said opening; and a stretchable mounting device latitudinally and releasably connected to at least said first side edge of said envelope for attaching said envelope around the circumference of the support.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mounting device further comprises a clip configured for releasably connecting to at least said first edge of said envelope.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said envelope comprises at least one projection disposed at said at least said first edge, said at least one projection being dimensioned for retaining said clip when said clip is connected to said at least said first edge of said envelope.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said envelope comprises a hole adjacent to at least said first edge and adapted to receive said mounting device.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said mounting device further comprises a hook configured for releasably connecting to said envelope at said hole.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mounting device comprises of an elastomer.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mounting device comprises of an elastic band.
 20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mounting device comprises of a rubber band.
 21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said envelope comprises of plastic.
 22. A public notice posting kit for posting a public notice around a circumference of a support, the kit comprising: a flexible waterproof transparent envelope for holding the public notice, said envelope comprising a top end, a bottom end, a first side edge, a second side edge, an opening to receive the public notice and a flap for covering said opening; and a stretchable mounting device attachable to at least said first side edge of said envelope for latitudinally attaching said envelope around the circumference of the support. 